Local time on Monday evening, Typhoon Dujuan is bearing down on Japan’s Kanto region, including Tokyo, and the storm has compelled the organizers of the 30th Tokyo Game Show to close the event a day early. The convention was scheduled to run for five days, marking the first time in its history it has stretched that long, but strong winds and rain are expected to grow worse from the afternoon onward, and transportation disruptions are a concern.
“Due to the approach of Typhoon No. 25, strong winds and rain are expected to intensify in the afternoon and beyond, and disruptions to transportation are also a concern,” the event organizers announced on X on September 19. “Therefore, prioritizing the safety of all attendees, exhibitors, and related parties, as well as ensuring safe return home, we have decided to cancel the event for the entire day. We sincerely apologize to everyone who was looking forward to attending for this unfortunate news.”
The Refund Plan
The storm is approaching, and the event is set to carry on as planned on September 20. Everyone attending will have their September 21 tickets refunded. It remains unclear how that refund arrangement will affect all the game developers who bought booth space for the entire five days.
Japan’s weather service is predicting gusts that could top out at 78 miles per hour.
Tokyo Game Show 2026 marks the event’s 30th anniversary, and with a holiday falling on September 21 in Japan this year, the decision was made to expand the gaming convention to a fifth day. The show floor has been packed with elaborate booths from several publishers.
The Hands-On Demos
The Square Enix booth offered a brand-new hands-on demo for Final Fantasy VII Revelation, where a giant statue of Sephiroth stood holding his sword Masamune out, poised to stab the ground, hanging overtop. PlayStation meanwhile was hosting large screenings of the Grand Theft Auto 6 extended look trailer, complete with IRL special effects added to the presentation.
“As a result [of Typhoon No. 25], the hands-on demos and streaming events scheduled for September 21 (Monday, holiday) at the PlayStation booth will also be canceled,” Sony announced on X today. “We regret to inform everyone who was looking forward to it, but we kindly ask for your understanding.”
The Order of Events
- Typhoon No. 25 approaches the Kanto region, including Tokyo, on Monday night, local time.
- Organizers announce the cancellation of September 21 on X on September 19.
- Sony announces the cancellation of hands-on demos and streaming events at the PlayStation booth on X today.
- The expo continues on September 20.
- Attendees will receive a refund for the canceled day, per the organizers’ promise.
Key Facts
- Event: Tokyo Game Show 2026
- Canceled day: September 21
- Reason: Typhoon No. 25 (Typhoon Dujuan)
- Wind forecast: Up to 78 miles per hour
- Anniversary: 30th year
- Original run: Five days
- Actual run: Four days
The show has been trimmed by four days, yet the safety of all present remains the top concern.
Source material: “Typhoon Dujuan Forces Tokyo Game Show 2026 To Shut Down A Day Early,” Kotaku.
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